New Mahindra Scorpio review, road test

The suspension no longer feels like it’s made of jelly and the overall ride quality is vastly improved, especially at low speeds. The suspension,  which is on the softer side at the rear, works noiselessly and takes the edge out of potholes, adding to the feeling of comfort. However, on an uneven surface, the ride can be a bit bouncy and the rear wheels hop over sharp edges.

Up the pace a bit and you quickly learn that you can’t defy physics. This top-heavy SUV, riding on a relatively narrow track, rolls quite a bit through corners, dives under braking and rocks a bit from side to side, but not as alarmingly as before. Body movements are by and large well contained and, unlike the previous Scorpio, the new one doesn’t scare you when you push it hard.

What we really liked is the responsive steering and the way the front end is nicely tied down. This has given the Scorpio impressive agility and it turns into corners far more enthusiastically. You have a greater sense of control and you can punt it around with more confidence than before.

But however good the Scorpio has become, it still doesn’t have the driving dynamics of monocoque-based SUVs like the Renault Duster that we are now accustomed to.